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Policosanol: Cholesterol – To Lower, Or Not To Lower…

Date: 16 September, 2003

Policosanol, a compound of fatty alcohols derived primarily from sugar cane or beeswax, is fast gaining a reputation as a natural alternative to statin drugs for lowering cholesterol. However, there is more to this supplement than meets the eye.

Fortunately, most of it is good.

The sweet sourceHere’s how US physician, Dr Jonathan V. Wright, describes policosanol: ‘Policosanol is a group of eight to nine ‘long-chain alcohols’ (solid, waxy compounds). Research is accumulating to show that policosanol is more effective than the most ‘popular’ (among mainstream doctors) patent medicines for lowering total cholesterol and triglyceride levels.’

Dr. Wright also notes that policosanol may help prevent strokes by inhibiting platelet aggregation and abnormal blood clotting, and may even lower blood pressure as well.

Even though it’s drawn from the same plant that produces table sugar, policosanol doesn’t affect blood sugar levels when ingested. And several studies have shown that it can reduce cholesterol without creating the dangerous side effects associated with statin drugs.

In one trial – reported in the journal Gynecological Endocrinology – researchers tested more than 240 post-menopausal women with high cholesterol. The subjects were given 5 mg of policosanol daily for 12 weeks, then 10 mg daily for another 12 weeks. After 6 months, researchers found that the supplement was effective in significantly lowering LDL levels (25.2 percent) and total cholesterol (16.7 percent). In addition, the women experienced an overall 29.3 percent increase in HDL levels.

Walking the walkMost discussions about cholesterol focus on the ways it endangers the heart. In fact, cholesterol performs several chores that are essential to good health. Cholesterol assists in the absorption of fatty acids, helps manufacture vitamin D, contributes to the production of sex and adrenal hormones, and maintains fatty covers around nerve fibres. As we grow older, however, our hormone levels drop, often boosting cholesterol to levels that cause concern.

One of the common age-related side effects of high cholesterol is a debilitating syndrome of cramping pain in the calves known as intermittent claudication. This is often linked to poor circulation and the presence of arterial fat deposits (atherosclerosis). Removal of those fat deposits, however, has been found to decrease claudication.

Researchers at the Medical Surgical Research Center in Havana, Cuba, tested policosanol on patients who suffered from moderately severe intermittent claudication. In this two-year study, 56 patients were randomly assigned to receive either policosanol or a placebo. Results indicated that policosanol significantly relieved the effects of intermittent claudication. The 21 people taking policosanol increased their walking distance by at least 50 percent, while only five members of the placebo group showed a similar improvement.

Other research has shown that elevated cholesterol levels may play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease, so there’s a possibility that policosanol may offer a defence against age-related dementia. This is a controversial topic because much more research needs to be done to determine the exact relationship of cholesterol and Alzheimer’s. And yet we’ve already seen drug companies subtly (and sometimes not so subtly) promoting statins as a treatment to help prevent Alzheimer’s.

On the Q10Studies have shown policosanol to be generally safe, but there are a few notes of caution.

Of course, a doctor or healthcare professional should be consulted before beginning any new supplement regimen. In the case of policosanol, this is especially necessary for those who are taking blood-thinning medications, or for patients who are currently taking cholesterol-lowering drugs.

Also, some study subjects have experienced mild side effects from policosanol, including insomnia, headache, diarrhoea, nervousness, and weight loss. These short-term side effects have been reported in less than one percent of the subjects tested. And unlike statin drugs, policosanol has not been shown to have a harmful effect on the liver – the organ that manages the production of cholesterol.

Another concern is policosanol’s effect on levels of CoQ10, the antioxidant enzyme that has been shown to promote cardiovascular health, and possibly even help prevent congestive heart failure. One of the ironies of statin drugs is that they’ve been shown to lower CoQ10 levels. So while you’re risking serious long-term side effects to reduce cholesterol, you’re also removing a powerful heart healthy antioxidant. Meanwhile, some research has indicated that policosanol may also have a negative effect on CoQ10, although Dr. Wright has stated that policosanol does not seriously interfere with the body’s ability to produce CoQ10.

In any case, a supplement of CoQ10 will be helpful for most people, and some policosanol manufacturers have even added CoQ10 to their supplement formulas.

Comments

catharina breedveld Posted December 7, 2011

Where in Australia can I get policosanol?

karen muller Posted July 4, 2010

My dad is on warfarin, Zocor and Epen . His cholesterol is good, yet the blood thinning drug he has been on for 10 yrs is now showing the side effects . Where in south africa can I buy the policosanol ?? would he still need to be under doc supervision . His heart was racing the other day and he landed in hospital. He had to take another warfarin to bring the heart rate down. why do docs hand out these terrible drugs. Upper respiratory problems and flu 3 times a year now.

Brian Vissian Posted June 11, 2010

I am on warfrin to thin my blood how would policosanol affect me would I be safe to take it. also could it do the job of the warfrin

Marie Posted November 20, 2009

Hi Jenny – I am also from South Africa and uses a policosanol product from Solal, which also has a COQ10 product. I find their products of a very high quality.

Rob Taylor Posted March 3, 2009

This has got to be better than statins if it does what it says. I’ll give it a try now my GP says that I need to get my HDL up and LDL down.

Jenny Posted February 18, 2009

Im from South Africa .Will I be able to buy Policosanol here and who manufacturers it Also which brand of COQ10 should I use …this is absolutely super.

Administrator Posted February 17, 2009

Hi Joseph

If you’re buying in the UK, then Revital are good suppliers- they tend to only stock the best quality brands and they’ll give you advice on products too.

As for CoQ10, you tend to get what you pay for. We know the Pharma Nord products are manufactured to a very high standard – but make sure you sign up for our Daily Health email alerts because very soon we’ve got some exciting news about a ‘super’ version of CoQ10

morgan jones Posted February 17, 2009

I’ve been told to take statins by my doctor – but refused them, when I asked him directly if HE would take them he said Yes but didn’t look me in the eye.. I’m 9.9 and get the calf pains when walking so I’ll be trying this too. very interesting!

Joseph Posted February 17, 2009

Dear Sirs,
Where can I find the best policosanol so that I can buy it? Also I take 100mg. CoQ10, by Pharma Nord. Quite expensive. Can I get something cheaper, but good quality?
Many thanks.
Kind Regards
Joseph

Steve Fallows Posted February 17, 2009

An interesting article and one that has much merit.

I have decided to give it a whirl as I have moderately high cholesterol (on the verge of “high”) and being told by my GP that I should consider Statins. This frightens the living daylights out of me!

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